Search

A systematic review of topic-specific faith-based health programs determined that health outcomes can be improved though faith-based health interventions. A university research team, in partnership with the Kansas United Methodist Church and a United Methodist philanthropy, facilitated planning and development of a statewide initiative to increase the capacity of laity-led health ministry teams. The purpose of this paper is to describe the processes utilized to design and implement an initiative to increase capacity for laity-led comprehensive health ministry among Kansas United Methodist Church congregations and to share the key elements of the initiative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to obtain a better understanding of how clergy view their health and to investigate their self-reported health status. Additionally, this study sought to explore personal and professional barriers among clergy to living a healthier life. An electronic 32-item survey was sent to all practicing clergy in Kansas East and West conferences of United Methodist church by the Kansas Area Office of the United Methodist Church. Survey items included participants' demographic information and health conditions (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol). The self-reported general health, mental health, and physical health data were also collected to compare to the general population in Kansas. Clergy were also asked to identify perceived barriers to health. A total of 150 clergy participated in the survey. The majority (93.7 %) self-reported their health as good, very good, or excellent. Participating clergy self-reported a higher prevalence of chronic diseases (diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol) than the Kansas general population, but those differences were not statistically significant. More than three-fourths (77.4 %) of the participating clergy reported weights and heights that classified them as either overweight or obese. Lack of family time was the most frequently reported personal barrier to achieving a healthier lifestyle. An unpredictable work schedule was reported as the most frequent professional barrier to achieving a healthier lifestyle. This study suggests that Kansas clergy generally view their overall health status favorably despite being overweight or obese. Clergy also self-reported higher prevalence of chronic diseases than the general Kansas population, though the prevalence was not statistically different. This study provides additional insight into clergy health and offers suggestions to address the barriers preventing clergy from working toward better health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a public nutritional assistance program for low-income women and their children up to age five. This study provides insight into maternal characteristics associated with breastfeeding among urban versus rural women. A secondary analysis was conducted using the Pregnancy Nutrition Surveillance System dataset of women enrolled in the Kansas WIC program in 2011. Geographic residency status was obtained through application of the Census tract-based rural-urban commuting area codes. Descriptive variables included maternal demographics, health, and lifestyle behaviors. A multivariable binary logistic regression was used to obtain adjusted odds ratios with 95 % confidence intervals. The outcome variable was initiation of breastfeeding. A P value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. The total sample size was 17,067 women. Statistically significant differences regarding socio-demographics, program participation, and health behaviors for urban and rural WIC participants were observed. About 74 % of all WIC mothers initiated breastfeeding. Urban women who were Hispanic, aged 18-19, high school graduates, household income >$10,000/year, and started early prenatal care were more likely to breastfeed. Urban and rural women who were non-Hispanic black with some high school education were less likely to breastfeed. Increased breastfeeding initiation rates are the result of a collaborative effort between WIC and community organizations. Availability of prenatal services to rural women is critical in the success of breastfeeding promotion. Findings help inform WIC program administrators and assist in enhancing breastfeeding services to the Kansas WIC population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignancy in orthopaedic surgery. Studies suggest that expression of VEGF and high vascularity within osteosarcoma may correlate with poor prognosis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was a correlation of VEGF expression with clinical tumour stage and metastasis. Methods: This retrospective case series examined 54 cases of osteosarcoma patients who were treated during a ten-year period. Relevant clinical information included age, gender, tumour location, stage, adjuvant therapy, morbidity, mortality, and tumour subtypes. The clinical information was analysed for correlation of VEGF expression and tumour prognosis. Tumour sections were examined by routine H&E and by immunohistochemistry for VEGF, CD31, and the oncogenes c-myc and c-fos. Results: There was a significantly positive correlation between VEGF expression and tumour stages among these cases ( p < 0.01). The data also suggested a higher cancer recurrence and more frequent cases of remote metastasis in the high-VEGF group compared to the low-VEGF group. VEGF expression also positively associated with c-fos and c-myc expressions in the primary tumour sections. Conclusion: The results of this study highlight the role of VEGF in angiogenesis and tumour burden. Data also suggest the influence of VEGF may associate with the elevations of c-fos and c-myc expression. The development of novel therapies to target the VEGF pathway in osteosarcoma may lead to improved survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their access to medically underserved and vulnerable populations, community health centers (CHCs) can play an essential role in emergency response. CHCs often fill this role in partnership with other local health resources, such as local health departments (LHD). Little research has been done to understand the success of these partnerships as it relates to emergency planning and emergency response. This study compares CHC and LHD personnel regarding past, present, and future collaborative preparedness and response activities. Surveys were distributed electronically to 1,265 clinical and clerical staff at LHDs and CHCs in 23 states who met the study criteria. Of the 522 respondents, 287 (55%) reported having engaged in collaborative preparedness activities in general, with CHCs more likely to report partnering than LHDs. LHDs were more likely than CHCs to report taking part in specific preparedness activities, such as planning activities (91, 79%), (χ2(1, N = 280) = 7.395, P < 0.05), mass dispensing drill/exercises (65, 42%), (χ2(1, N = 279) = 14.019, P < 0.001), and communication drill/exercises (69, 47%), (χ2(1, N = 280) = 13.059, P < 0.001). This study suggests that collaborations between CHCs and LHDs in general are occurring, but these general collaboration are not being translated into participation in functional drills or exercises. Additional efforts to ensure a more comprehensive partnership between CHCs and LHDs in emergency preparedness are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community health centers (CHCs) provide care to a large number of medically under served Americans. As primary care providers and trusted members of their communities, CHCs need to be prepared to respond to emergency and disaster situations, as they may be relied upon for medical care and other support services. Focus groups were conducted with CHC medical directors and administrators from New York City. Participants discussed previous emergency preparedness training, future training needs, applicability of competencies, and usefulness of two training programs. Participants indicated that they had more experience with preparedness training than many of their colleagues, although participants still reported further training needs. In particular, emergency roles and responsibilities, decontamination and containment, and personal preparedness were given as needed training topics for staff. The training resources were reported to be useful and beneficial. Participants also reported that most of the competencies were appropriate for CHC clinicians. During an emergency, people want to receive care from their normal provider, and for many, that provider is a CHC. This and other research suggests that the emergency preparedness needs facing CHCs are significant and should be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much research has been done into tobacco use portrayals in film since the mid-twentieth century, but the earlier years of Hollywood history have been overlooked. Yet the first decades of the twentieth century saw annual per capita cigarette consumption increase from under 100 in 1900 upto 1,500 in 1930. The current study looks at frequency and context (gender, age range, socioeconomic status, type of portrayal) of tobacco use in 20 top-grossing silent films spanning the silent feature era (1915-1928). The sample averaged 23.31 tobacco uses per hour. Tobacco use was most often associated with positive characterizations, working/middle class status, masculinity, and youth. Previous research has verified the influence of the film industry on tobacco consumption in modern years, and this potential connection should not be ignored for the silent film era. Top-grossing silent films set a precedent for positive media portrayals of substance use that have persisted to the present day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]